Now that we're all back from spring break, have loads of work piling up and will soon enter the hell week known as finals, it can only mean one thing — it's time to procrastinate. That's right — break out the Tumblr page you haven't visited in two months, see what your ex-best friend from the third grade is up to on Facebook or, bette r yet, binge watch a show you've always wanted to! Who cares if you have two papers and an exam next week? You have six seasons and 100 episodes to catch up on! Get to work before the Internet spoils the show for you. Here's how you do it:
1. Give up on the fact that you have any other obligations besides this show.
Binge watching a show takes some serious effort and commitment. Depending on how many episodes you have, this could take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. You need to be ready for late nights and long hours, because this show is now your life.
2. Get in a comfy location and position.
It's all about the prep. You need snacks, a comfy chair or bed and all charges necessary. You're in it for the long haul — the last thing you need is a dead computer or to not be able to hear your show because of a grumbling stomach. If you know it's about to get emotional, make sure you have tissues too — take a lesson from the boy scouts and always be prepared.
3. Dive right in.
It's game time, folks. You watched the pilot episode, and you are hooked. Before you know it, you're four hours in, and there's no stopping you now. The season finale is only eight episodes away, and it's only 10:30 p.m. — you got this!
4. Every time you're ready to pause to sleep, you get sucked back in.
No, no, no, no, no! There is no way you're stopping now! It just got so real, and you absolutely need to know what will happen next! If you sleep now, that's a whole... four hours of not knowing! Nope, sorry, not going to happen.
5. You're nearing the end.
Have nine seasons already gone by? Wow, and it only took...three weeks, but hey, you're almost there! Only six episodes until you're done and free. At this point, it's unclear if you're even enjoying the show, but you didn't just commit all this time to give up at the end! You're at the 22nd mile, and the finish line is in sight.
6. You finish the last episode.
You did it! Thank the lord, you are finally done! You have no idea what month it is, what the weather is like or when the last time you went to the bathroom was, but you know everything about your favorite fictional characters.
7. When you can finally Internet again.
Time to get sucked into the second part of the vortex. You tackle every subreddit, Tumblr post and conspiracy theory the Internet has to offer. You fight for your ships and hate those who oppose you — this here is real.
8. The realization.
Where has the time gone? I need to eat, sleep and oh god, do I need a shower. What does the outside world look like these days? I really should go find out *gets up.* So that's what an imprint of my butt looks like on the couch...it's not going away...crap, I really should go outside.
9. The freedom.
Air never smelled fresher; light never seemed brighter; the world is a beautiful place. You even start to forget what the inside of your room looks like! And then, the worst thing ever happens — a friend mentions their favorite show, that you haven't watched yet...oh no.
10. Repeat
I give up.
No one can resist a good binge, and when the opportunity rolls around, you know you're going to watch it. Netflix and chill? More like Netflix by yourself for nine hours straight. Let's be real, you don't ever really regret a TV show binge — TV is awesome and you know it.
